Metal organic frameworks, their synthesis and use

ABSTRACT

A novel metal organic framework, EMM-33, is described having the structure of UiO-67 and comprising bisphosphonate linking ligands. EMM-33 has acid activity and is useful as a catalyst in olefin isomerization. Also disclosed is a process of making metal organic frameworks, such as EMM-33, by heterogeneous ligand exchange, in which linking ligands having a first bonding functionality in a host metal organic framework are exchanged with linking ligands having a second different bonding functionality in the framework.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/501,154 filed May 4, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to metal organic frameworks (MOFs), to a particular novel MOF, designated herein as EMM-33, and to the synthesis of MOFs and their use, particularly in catalytic applications.

BACKGROUND

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a relatively new class of porous materials that are comprised of metal ion/oxide secondary building units (SBUs) interconnected by organic linking ligands. MOFs are characterized by low densities, high internal surface areas, and uniformly sized pores and channels. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,653,292 describes Zr MOFs having a surface area of at least 1020 m²/g or, if functionalized, having a surface area of at least 500 m²/g. As a result of these advantageous properties, MOFs have been investigated extensively for applications in gas separation and storage, sensing, catalysis, drug delivery, and waste remediation. The wide array of potential applications for MOFs stem from the nearly infinite combination of organic ligands and secondary building units available. Regardless of this diversity, many materials have been left undiscovered due to limitations in the synthetic protocols typically employed for MOF synthesis. The relatively high temperatures and long crystallization times employed to synthesize metal-organic frameworks preclude the incorporation of sensitive moieties. Furthermore, the multiple conformations possible between the ligand and metal SBUs make predicting and directing structure challenging.

Recently a novel method of accessing new MOF materials from a starting host framework has been realized through the use of post-synthetic linker and ion exchange. This method, referred to in the literature as Solvent Assisted Ligand Exchange (SALE) or Post-Synthetic Exchange (PSE), is discussed by, for example, Karagiaridi, O.; Bury, W.; Mondloch, J. E.; Hupp, J. T.; Farha, O. K. in “Solvent-Assisted Linker Exchange: An Alternative to the De Novo Synthesis of Unattainable Metal-Organic Frameworks”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 4530-4540). This technique has allowed for the development of novel materials which have thus far eluded researchers.

One example of the SALE process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,541 using a species of MOF known as a zeolitic imidazolate framework or ZIF, as the host framework. In particular, the '541 patent discloses a method for exchanging the imidazolate linker in a zeolitic imidazolate framework composition, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first zeolitic imidazolate framework composition having a tetrahedral framework comprising a general structure, M¹-IM^(a)-M², wherein M¹ and M² comprise the same or different metal cations, and wherein IM^(a) is an imidazolate or a substituted imidazolate linking moiety; (b) providing a liquid composition comprising IM^(b), wherein IM^(b) is an imidazolate or a substituted imidazolate which is different from IM^(a); and (c) contacting the first zeolitic imidazolate framework composition with the liquid composition under conditions sufficient to exchange at least a portion of IM^(a) with at least a portion of IM^(b) and to produce a second zeolitic imidazolate framework composition, M¹-IM^(c)-M², wherein IM^(c) comprises IM^(b), and wherein the framework type of the second zeolitic imidazolate framework composition is different from the framework type obtained when a zeolitic imidazolate framework composition is prepared by crystallizing a liquid reaction mixture comprising a solution of M¹, M² and IM^(b). One notable result of this work was the complete exchange of 2-methylimidazole (mim) in ZIF-8 for 5-azabenzimidazole (5-abim) to isolate a novel ZIF framework, EMM-19, composed of 5-abim linkers connected to zinc tetrahedra in a sodalite (SOD) topology. This particular structure had been hypothesized to be unobtainable due to the propensity of azabenzimidazole linkers to form ZIFs with LTA-type topologies. This discovery allowed for the development of materials with highly desirable CO₂ adsorption characteristics not observed in the nearly identical ZIF-7.

Another type of relevant post-synthetic transformation is Solvent Assisted Ligand Incorporation (SALI), in which functional moieties are grafted onto the ligands and/or secondary building units of MOFs. For example, Hupp and coworkers demonstrated that the treatment of the Zr-based framework, NU-1000, results in the dehydration and grafting of pendant carboxylate and phosphonate moieties onto the secondary building unit (See MOF Functionalization via Solvent-Assisted Ligand Incorporation: Phophonates vs Carboxylates. Inorg. Chem. 2015, 54, 2185-2192 and Perfluoroalkane Functionalization of NU-1000 via Solvent-Assisted Ligand Incorporation: Synthesis and CO₂ Adsorption Studies. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 16801-16804. Interestingly, this transformation occurs without loss of crystallinity of the parent material and serves to tune the adsorption properties of the resulting material.

Despite these advances, there remains a need for new methods of post-synthesis modification of MOF structures and particularly for those methods which allow the production of ligand/SBU combinations that are difficult or impossible to access by conventional MOF synthesis routes.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, it has now been found that linker exchange can be used with a MOF comprising a first organic linking ligand having a first bonding functionality to partially or completely replace the first ligand with a second organic linking ligand having a second bonding functionality different from the first binding functionality. In particular, it has been found that an organic linking ligand with monoprotic acid bonding functionality, such as a carboxylate ligand, can be partially or completely replaced with an organic linking ligand having polyprotic acid bonding functionality, such as a phosphonate ligand, to allow incorporation of acidic behavior in a MOF. Based on this technique a new MOF, designated as EMM-33, has been produced by exchange of the biphenyldicarboxylate linker in UiO-67 with a biphenylbisphosphonate linker. EMM-33 is an active catalyst for a variety of organic conversion reactions, including olefin isomerization. The terms “linker” and “ligand” can be used interchangeably herein.

In one aspect, the present disclosure resides in a metal organic framework having the structure of UiO-67 and comprising bisphosphonate linking ligands.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure resides in a metal organic framework comprising Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ octahedra interconnected by bisphosphonate linking ligands.

In some embodiments, the metal organic framework comprises biphenylbisphosphonate ligands wherein each phenyl group may optionally be functionalized with one or more electron withdrawing groups.

In yet a further aspect, the present disclosure resides in a process for exchanging an organic linking ligand in a metal organic framework, the process comprising:

(a) providing a first metal organic framework comprising a three-dimensional microporous crystal framework structure comprising metal-containing secondary building units connected by first organic linking ligands having a first bonding functionality with the secondary building units,

(b) providing a liquid medium containing an organic compound capable of reacting with the secondary building units to produce second organic linking ligands having a second bonding functionality with the secondary building units different from the first binding functionality; and

(c) contacting the first metal organic framework with the liquid medium under conditions effective for the organic compound to react with the secondary building units in the first metal organic framework and exchange at least some of the first organic linking ligands with second organic linking ligands and produce a second metal organic framework.

In some embodiments, the first organic linking ligand is bonded to each secondary building unit through a monoprotic acid group and the second organic linking ligand is bonded to each secondary building unit through a polyprotic acid group.

In another aspect, the present disclosure resides in an organic compound conversion process, such as an olefin isomerization process, comprising contacting an organic compound-containing feed with a catalyst comprising the metal organic framework described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the powder X-ray diffraction patterns of a UiO-67 starting material and its phosphonate-exchanged products after reaction with 0.22, 0.45, 0.92 and 1.8 mol. equivalents of 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonic acid according to the process of Example 1.

FIG. 2 shows the N₂ gas adsorption curves of a UiO-67 starting material and its phosphonate-exchanged products after reaction with 0.22, 0.45, 0.92 and 1.8 mol. equivalents of 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonic acid according to the process of Example 1.

FIG. 3 shows the IR spectra of 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonic acid, UiO-67 and its phosphonate-exchanged products after reaction with 0.22, 0.45, 0.92 and 1.8 mol. equivalents of 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonic acid according to the process of Example 1.

FIG. 4 shows the ³¹P MAS NMR spectra of biphenylbisphosphonic acid and phosphonate-exchanged UiO-67 after reaction with 0.22 mol. equivalents of 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonic acid according to the process of Example 1.

FIG. 5 shows the powder X-ray diffraction patterns of EMM-35 under various levels of exchange.

FIG. 6 shows the 19F MAS NMR of EMM-35 (red and black) as well as the pure perfluoro-4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonic acid (blue).

FIG. 7 shows the ATR-IR spectra of EMM-35 as well as UiO-67 and the phosphonate starting material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed herein is a novel metal organic framework, designated EMM-33, which has the structure of UiO-67 and comprises bisphosphonate linking ligands, optionally together with dicarboxylate linking ligands, and its use as a catalyst. Also disclosed is a process for producing metal organic frameworks, such as EMM-33, by heterogeneous ligand exchange. In this process, first organic linking ligands interconnecting secondary building units (SBUs) in a host metal organic framework through a first bonding functionality are partially or completely replaced by second organic linking ligands which bond to the SBUs through a second, different functionality.

UiO-67 is a metal organic framework composed of Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ octahedra twelve-fold bonded to adjacent octahedra by 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate ligands. UiO-67 is reported to have an X-ray diffraction pattern which includes the characteristic lines listed in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 Interplanar d-Spacing (Å) Two-theta Relative Intensity (100 × I/Io) 15.5197 5.690 100 13.4405 6.571 25.8 9.298 9.298 1.9 8.1049 10.907 3.7 7.7599 11.394 11.3 6.7202 13.164 4.1 6.0108 14.726 0.9 5.4870 16.140 0.2 5.1732 17.126 1.9 4.7519 18.658 0.3 4.5437 19.521 2.1 4.4802 19.801 2.3 4.2502 20.883 0.2 4.0993 21.662 0.3

EMM-33 is a metal organic framework having the same SBUs as UiO-67, namely Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ octahedra, in which some or all of the 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate ligands joining adjacent octahedra have been exchanged by 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands. EMM-33 is isostructural with UiO-67 and so generally has a similar characteristic X-ray diffraction pattern as UiO-67. However, as shown in FIG. 1, at high levels of ligand exchange some crystallinity may be lost resulting in certain lines in the normal X-ray pattern of UiO-67 being diminished in intensity. In some embodiments, therefore, it may be desirable to control the ligand exchange so that no more than 30%, such as no more than 25%, for example no more than 20% of the 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate ligands in the UiO-67 parent material are replaced by 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate ligands. Typically, at least 15% of the 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate ligands in the UiO-67 parent material are replaced by 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate ligands.

One important difference between EMM-33 and UiO-67 concerns the nature of the bonding functionality of the different ligands. Thus, in UiO-67 the bonding to each Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ octahedron is via a monoprotic carboxylic acid group so that in the final MOF there is little or no remaining acid functionality. In contrast, in EMM-33 the bonding to each Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ octahedron is via a diprotic phosphonic acid group so that the final MOF has acid functionality and, as will be discussed in more detail below, exhibits catalytic activity for organic conversion reactions, such as olefin isomerization. By suitable functionalization on one or more of the phenyl groups of 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate ligands, such as with electron withdrawing groups, this acidity can be increased, potentially with an increased catalytic activity of the final MOF. Suitable electron withdrawing groups include fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo and nitro groups.

The process used to produce EMM-33 potentially has wide application in MOF synthesis and involves solvent assisted ligand exchange of a host MOF including first organic ligands having a first SBU bonding functionality by reaction in a liquid medium with an organic compound capable of reacting with the SBUs of the host MOF to produce second organic linking ligands having a second bonding functionality with the SBUs different from the first bonding functionality. Of course in the case of EMM-33 synthesis, the host MOF is UiO-67 having Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ octahedra interconnected by linking ligands having two monoprotic carboxylic acid groups and the replacing ligands have two diprotic phosphonic acid groups. However, the process is equally applicable to MOFs having different SBUs, including other metal ion/oxide-containing groups, especially groups comprising at least one tetravalent transition metal, such as hafnium, titanium and/or zirconium. Similarly, the process is applicable to host MOFs containing other organic linking ligands than 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate ligands, including other aromatic or non-aromatic dicarboxylate ligands, as well as ligands whose bonding functionality is not limited to monoprotic acid functionality, including, for example, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks or ZIFs and pyridine-containing frameworks. Further, the process can be used with other exchange ligands than biphosphonate ligands, whether or not having a polyprotic acid bonding functionality, such as sulfonates and boronates.

In the linker exchange process described herein, a first or host metal organic framework (MOF) is provided in which the host MOF comprises a three-dimensional microporous crystal framework structure comprising metal-containing secondary building units connected by first organic linking ligands having a first bonding functionality with the secondary building units. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to remove unreacted species or impurities from the as-synthesized form of host MOF prior to linker exchange. These unreacted species or impurities may be removed by appropriate techniques, e.g., involving washing and drying. For example, the as-synthesized form of the host MOF may be washed with a suitable solvent, such as DMF, followed by solvent exchange with ethanol, acetonitrile, or the like, decanting solvent and drying, for example, under vacuum at about 250° C. Alternatively, a first MOF composition sufficiently (substantially) free of unreacted species or impurities may be purchased from commercial vendor.

In another step of the process, a liquid medium is provided containing an organic linker compound capable of reacting with the secondary building units in the host MOF to produce second organic linking ligands having a second bonding functionality with the secondary building units different from the first bonding functionality. For example, the first bonding functionality may be via a monoprotic acid functionality whereas the second bonding functionality may be via a polyprotic, such as a diprotic, acid functionality The organic linker compound may be present in the liquid medium, for example, in the form of the protonated form of the linker composition and/or in the form of a salt of the composition.

The liquid medium may comprise a solution of the organic linker compound in a solvent. The solvent may be a polar organic solvent, such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-diethylformamide (DEF), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), 1,3-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU), a sulfoxide (e.g., dimethylsulfoxide or DMSO), a phosphoramide (e.g., hexamethylphosphoramide), an alcohol (e.g. butanol), acetonitrile (MeCN), triethylamine (TEA), or a combination thereof. Alternatively, though not strictly organic, aqueous solvents such as aqueous ammonia and ethanol mixtures, can be used as solvents for the linker compound(s).

Though polar organic compounds such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) are suggested as solvents herein, it should be understood that a solvent (or solvent system) useful in the methods according to the invention and/or useful in making products according to the invention should at least be able to solvate and/or solubilize the reactants to the extent necessary to allow reaction to occur at a reasonable rate (or over a reasonable reaction time). They can also typically be present in a substantially liquid phase at operating/reaction conditions (and optionally but preferably also at STP).

In certain embodiments, solvents (and/or solvent systems) particularly useful in the invention can additionally or alternately exhibit a relatively high vapor pressure and/or a relatively low boiling point. For instance, in some such embodiments, a relatively high vapor pressure can represent at least 2.5 kPa at about 20° C., for example at least about 3.0 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 3.5 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 4.0 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 4.5 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 5.0 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 5.5 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 6.0 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 6.5 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 7.0 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 7.5 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 8.0 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 8.5 kPa at about 20° C., at least about 9.0 kPa at about 20° C., or at least about 9.5 kPa at about 20° C. Optionally, if an upper boundary on vapor pressure is needed and/or desired, the relatively high vapor pressure can be about 30 kPa or less at about 20° C., e.g., about 25 kPa or less at about 20° C., about 20 kPa or less at about 20° C., about 15 kPa or less at about 20° C., or about 10 kPa or less at about 20° C. Additionally or alternately, in some such embodiments, a relatively low boiling point can represent 99° C. or less, e.g., about 98° C. or less, about 96° C. or less, about 95° C. or less, about 93° C. or less, about 91° C. or less, about 90° C. or less, about 88° C. or less, about 86° C. or less, about 85° C. or less, about 83° C. or less, about 81° C. or less, or about 80° C. or less. Optionally, if a lower boundary on boiling point is needed and/or desired (preferably, the solvent can have a boiling point above ambient temperature, so as to be in a liquid phase), the relatively low boiling point can be at least about 25° C., e.g., at least about 30° C., at least about 35° C., at least about 40° C., at least about 45° C., at least about 50° C., at least about 55° C., at least about 60° C., at least about 65° C., at least about 70° C., at least about 75° C., or at least about 80° C. One such non-limiting example of a solvent system having both a relatively low boiling point and a relatively high vapor pressure includes a mixture of acetonitrile and triethylamine.

In another step of the present process, the host MOF is contacted with the liquid medium comprising organic linker compound. This contact may take place by combining (1) the host MOF, (2) the solvent, and (3) a source of organic linker compound in any order. For example, host MOF and organic linker compound may first be combined, and the solvent may be added to this combination, accomplishing the simultaneous formation of a liquid medium comprising the organic linker compound and contact of this composition with the host MOF. In a convenient embodiment, the source of organic linker compound can first be dissolved in the solvent, and either the resulting solution can be added to the host MOF or the host MOF can be added to the solution.

The amount of organic linking ligand used in the contacting step may be selected so that the molar ratio of the organic linking compound to first organic linking ligand in the host MOF is from 0.01 to 10, e.g., from 0.02 to 5, from 0.03 to 1, from 0.04 to 1, from 0.05 to 0.9, from 0.1 to 0.8, from 0.1 to 0.7, from 0.1 to 0.6, from 0.1 to 0.5, from 0.1 to 0.4. In particular, where less than complete exchange of the first organic linking ligand is desired, the molar ratio of the organic linking compound to first organic linking ligand in the host MOF is advantageously below 1.

The combined mixture of the host MOF with the liquid medium comprising the organic linking compound can be maintained under conditions sufficient to achieve at least partial exchange of the first linking ligand with the second linking ligand and produce the second MOF. The contact may take place for a sufficient time to achieve at least partial exchange, e.g., from at least 1 hour to as much as 10 days, from 1 hour to 7 days, from 1 hour to 5 days, from 1 hour to 3 days, from 2 hours to 10 days, from 2 hours to 7 days, from 2 hours to 5 days, from 2 hours to 3 days, from 4 hours to 10 days, from 4 hours to 7 days, from 4 hours to 5 days, from 4 hours to 3 days, from 8 hours to 10 days, from 8 hours to 7 days, from 8 hours to 5 days, from 8 hours to 3 days, from 12 hours to 10 days, from 12 hours to 7 days, from 12 hours to 5 days, from 12 hours to 3 days, from 18 hours to 10 days, from 18 hours to 7 days, from 18 hours to 5 days, from 18 hours to 3 days, from 24 hours to 10 days, from 24 hours to 7 days, from 24 hours to 5 days, or from 24 hours to 3 days. The temperature of the combined mixture of the host MOF with the liquid medium comprising the organic linking compound may range, for example, from a temperature of about −78° C. (dry-ice bath temperature) to the boiling temperature of the solvent (the normal boiling point of N,N-dimethylformamide is about 153° C. and of dimethylsulfoxide is about 189° C.), from about 0° C. (ice water bath temperature) to at least 10° C. below the boiling temperature of the solvent, or from about 15° C. to at least 15° C. below the boiling temperature of the solvent (or alternately to about 100° C.). When contact takes place in a pressurized vessel, the temperature may exceed the boiling temperature of the solvent. For example, the contact may take place at room temperature or greater, such as from about 18° C. to about 200° C. or from about 75° C. to about 150° C.

After the contacting is complete, the second MOF may be recovered and treated, if necessary or desired (e.g., to remove molecules from the pore space of the second MOF). This treatment may involve techniques for activating the as-synthesized form of a MOF prepared by solvothermal methods, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,314,245 and 8,071,063. For example, the recovered MOF may be washed and then solvent exchanged with acetonitrile and dried. Finally the dried acetonitrile-exchanged product may be placed under vacuum, e.g., less than about 10 mTorr at about 180° C. for about 18 hours, to yield the activated form of the MOF.

Depending on the nature of the second organic linking ligands and, if still partially present, the first organic linking ligands, the resultant activated second MOF may have a variety of uses, such as an adsorbent for gases such as hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, inert gases, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, natural gas, hydrocarbons and amines. In addition, where, as with EMM-33, the second MOF has acid functionality, other potential uses are in organic compound conversion reactions. Thus, in the case of EMM-33, one such catalytic use is in catalytic olefin isomerization, namely in shifting the position of the double bond in a C₃₊ olefin, for example converting 2-methyl-2-pentene to 2-methyl-1-pentene. Such a process can, for example, be conducted by contacting a source of the olefin to be isomerized with EMM-33 at a temperature from about 200° C. to about 400° C., such as from about 250° C. to about 350° C.

The invention can additionally or alternatively include one or more of the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1. A metal organic framework having the structure of UiO-67 and comprising bisphosphonate linking ligands.

Embodiment 2. The metal organic framework of embodiment 1 and comprising biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands, preferably 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands.

Embodiment 3. The metal organic framework of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2 and further comprising biphenyldicarboxylate linking ligands.

Embodiment 4. A metal organic framework comprising Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ octahedra interconnected by bisphosphonate linking ligands.

Embodiment 5. The metal organic framework of embodiment 4 and comprising Zr₆O₄(OH)₄ octahedra interconnected by biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands, preferably 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands.

Embodiment 6. The metal organic framework of embodiment 2 or embodiment 5, wherein at least one of the phenyl groups of the biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands is substituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups.

Embodiment 7. The metal organic framework of embodiment 1 and further comprising dicarboxylate linking ligands.

Embodiment 8. A metal organic framework comprising octahedral nodes at least 6 zirconium atoms and at least 6 oxygen atoms interconnected by biphenyldicarboxylate ligands and at least one bisphosphonate linking ligand.

Embodiment 9. The metal organic framework of embodiment 8, wherein the bisphosphonate linking ligand is a biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligand, preferably a 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligand.

Embodiment 10. The metal organic framework of embodiment 8 or embodiment 9, wherein at least one of the phenyl groups of the biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligand is substituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups.

Embodiment 11. The metal organic framework of any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the metal organic framework comprises at least one tetravalent transition metal.

Embodiment 12. The metal organic framework of embodiment 11, wherein the at least one tetravalent transition metal is selected from the group consisting of hafnium, titanium and zirconium.

Embodiment 13. A process for exchanging an organic linking ligand in a metal organic framework, the process comprising:

(a) providing a first metal organic framework comprising a three-dimensional microporous crystal framework structure comprising metal-containing secondary building units to connected by first organic linking ligands having a first bonding functionality with the secondary building units,

(b) providing a liquid medium containing an organic compound capable of reacting with the secondary building units to produce second organic linking ligands having a second bonding functionality with the secondary building units different from the first bonding functionality; and

(c) contacting the first metal organic framework with the liquid medium under conditions effective for the organic compound to react with the secondary building units in the first metal organic framework and exchange at least some of the first organic linking ligands with second organic linking ligands and produce a second metal organic framework.

Embodiment 14. The process of embodiment 13, wherein the first organic linking ligand is bonded to each secondary building unit through a monoprotic acid group.

Embodiment 15. The process of embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, wherein the first organic linking ligand comprises a carboxylic acid, preferably an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, more preferably a biphenyldicarboxylic acid.

Embodiment 16. The process of any one of embodiments 13 to 15, wherein the second organic linking ligand is bonded to each secondary building unit through a polyprotic acid group, preferably a diprotic acid group.

Embodiment 17. The process of any one of embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the second organic linking ligand comprises a phosphonic acid, preferably an aromatic bisphosphonic acid, more preferably a biphenylbisphosphonic acid.

Embodiment 18. The process of any one of embodiments 13 to 17, wherein the secondary building units comprise at least one tetravalent transition metal, preferably at least one metal selected from the group consisting of hafnium, titanium and zirconium.

Embodiment 19. The process of any one of embodiments 13 to 18, wherein the second metal organic framework is isostructural with the first metal organic framework.

Embodiment 20. The process of any one of embodiments 13 to 19, wherein the first metal organic framework has the structure of UiO-67.

Embodiment 21. An organic compound conversion process comprising contacting an organic compound-containing feed with a catalyst comprising the metal organic framework of any one of embodiments 1 to 12.

Embodiment 22. An olefin isomerization process comprising contacting an olefin-containing feed with a catalyst comprising the metal organic framework of any one of embodiments 1 to 12.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the following non-limiting Examples and the accompanying drawings.

The X-ray diffraction data reported in the Examples were collected with a Panalytical X'Pert Pro diffraction system with an Xcelerator multichannel detector, equipped with a germanium solid state detector, using copper K-alpha radiation. The diffraction data were recorded by step-scanning at 0.02 degrees of two-theta, where theta is the Bragg angle, and using an effective counting time of 2 seconds for each step.

EXAMPLE 1 Exchange of 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonic Acid into UiO-67 to Produce EMM-33

2 grams of UiO-67 were charged into a 200 mL round-bottom flask. The flask was heated to 90° C. 264 mg of biphenylbisphosphonic acid (0.84 mmol or 0.22 mol. equivalent) was dissolved in 50 mL of dimethylsulfoxide and added to the stirring suspension of UiO-67. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir overnight at 90° C.

The solids were then collected by filtration and washed with 20 mL of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). This wet powder was then suspended in 100 mL of DMSO and stirred overnight at 90° C. to remove any unreacted starting material.

The solids were then filtered and washed with acetonitrile (20 mL), then re-suspended in 100 mL of acetonitrile and allowed to stir at room temperature overnight. The solids were filtered and allowed to dry on the filter. The powder was then heated at 180° C. under vacuum until a pressure of 0.5 mTorr was achieved.

The process was repeated at higher levels of biphenylbisphosphonic acid exchange and the resultant samples were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), N₂ adsorption, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results are shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 respectively and unequivocably demonstrate that the heterolinker was successfully incorporated into the parent UiO-67 framework, although it will be seen from FIG. 1 that there was some loss of crystallinity at higher levels of phosphonate exchange.

EXAMPLE 2 Catalytic isomerization of 2-methyl-2-pentene by EMM-33

A series of tests of the catalytic activity of the UiO-67 parent material and the EMM-33 produced in Example 1 (at 0.22 mole equivalent exchange) for the isomerization of 2-methyl-2-pentene (2MP=2) were conducted at temperatures of 250° C. and 350° C. The results are shown in Tables 2 and 3 respectively, where all product composition values are in wt. % and the following abbreviations are used:

-   -   3+4MP=1 designates the total amount of 3-methyl-1-pentene and         4-methyl-1-pentene;     -   4MP=2 designates the total amount of cis- and         trans-4-methyl-2-pentene;     -   2MP=1 designates 2-methyl-1-pentene;     -   3MP=2 designates the total amount of cis- and         trans-3-methyl-2-pentene;     -   23DMB=1 designates 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene;     -   23DMB=2 designates 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene;     -   2EB=1 designates 2-ethyl-1-butene; and     -   t-2H=designates trans 2-hexene, no cis isomer having been         detected.

From Tables 2 and 3, it will be seen that UiO-67 showed essentially no catalytic activity for the isomerization of 2-methyl-2-pentene, while the phosphonate-exchanged EMM-33 material demonstrated moderate isomerization activity as evidenced by the production of 2-methyl-1-pentene.

TABLE 2 Isomerization of 2-methyl-2-pentene by UiO-67 Time/ hr Temp. C₁-C₅ 3 + 4MP = 1 4MP = 2 2MP = 1 2MP = 2 3MP = 2 23DMB = 1 23DMB = 2 2EB = 1 t-2H = 0.08 250 0 0 0 1.384 98.344 0.013 0 0 0 0 1 250 0.016 0 0 1.261 98.281 0.013 0 0 0 0 2 350 0.016 0 0.008 1.856 98.707 0.058 0 0 0 0 3 350 0.008 0 0 1.208 98.35 0.012 0 0 0 0

TABLE 3 Isomerization of 2-methyl-2-pentene by EMM-33 Time/ hr Temp. C₁-C₅ 3 + 4MP = 1 4MP = 2 2MP = 1 2MP = 2 3MP = 2 23DMB = 1 23DMB = 2 2EB = 1 t-2H = 0.08 250 0.006 0.005 0.176 26.93 72.435 0.048 0.08 0.014 0 0 1 250 0.038 O 0.032 21.181 78.165 0.062 0 0.006 0 0 2 350 0.029 0.045 0.352 31.788 66.962 0.175 0.022 0.057 0.014 0.007 3 350 0.022 0 0.040 21.403 77.885 0.055 0 0.005 0 0

TABLE 4 Comparison of the isomerization of 2-methylpentene with UiO-67 (top), EMM-33 (middle), and EMM-35 (Bottom) Time/Hr Temp/° C. Wt % C1-C5 Wt % 4MP = 1 WT % 3MP = 1 WT % 23DMB = 1 c-4MP = 2 t-4MP = 2 UiO-67 0.08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.016 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.016 0 0 0 0 0 0.008 3 0.008 0 0 0 0 0 0 EMM-33 0.08 250 0.021 0.194 0.039 0.13 0.44 2.609 1 250 0.016 0.045 0.011 0.047 0.117 0.706 2 350 0.032 0.582 0.14 0.312 0.977 4.128 3 250 0.014 0.036 0 0.045 0.122 0.717 EMM-35 0.08 250 0.178 1.35 0.167 1.119 2.098 8.864 2 350 0.342 2.566 0.935 2.655 3.093 10.415 3 250 0.05 0.383 0.083 0.442 0.757 3.588 Time/Hr 2MP = 1 1-H = 2EB = 1 c-&t-3H = t-2H = 2MP = 2 c-3mp = 2 c-2H = t-3MP = 2 23DMP = 2 UiO-67 0.08 1.384 0 0 0 0 98.344 0 0 0.013 0 1 1.261 0 0 0 0 98.281 0 0 0.013 0 2 1.856 0 0 0 0 98.707 0.044 0 0.014 0 3 1.208 0 0 0 0 98.35 0 0 0.012 0 EMM-33 0.08 22.672 0 0.031 0 0.007 68.824 0.168 0 0.234 0.318 1 27.426 0 0.01 0 0 70.894 0.072 0 0.069 0.117 2 29.432 0 0.12 0.022 0.043 61.84 0.485 0.028 0.742 0.649 3 27.504 0 0.01 0 0 70.747 0.058 0 0.075 0.116 EMM-35 0.08 22.346 0 0.21 0.03 0.062 57.894 1.058 0.041 1.719 2.668 2 19.117 0 1.23 0.297 0.503 40.541 4.803 0.259 7.92 4.868 3 25.11 0 0.077 0.012 0.02 66.246 0.386 0.013 0.582 1.146 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A metal organic framework having the structure of UiO-67 and comprising bisphosphonate linking ligands.
 2. The metal organic framework of claim 1 and comprising biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands.
 3. The metal organic framework of claim 2 and comprising 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands.
 4. The metal organic framework of claim 2, wherein at least one of the phenyl groups of the biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligands is substituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups.
 5. The metal organic framework of claim 2 and further comprising biphenyldicarboxylate linking ligands.
 6. The metal organic framework of claim 1, wherein the metal organic framework comprises at least one tetravalent transition metal.
 7. The metal organic framework of claim 6, wherein the at least one tetravalent transition metal is selected from the group consisting of hafnium, titanium and zirconium.
 8. The metal organic framework of claim 1 and further comprising dicarboxylate linking ligands.
 9. A metal organic framework comprising octahedral nodes of at least 6 zirconium atoms and at least 6 oxygen atoms interconnected by biphenyldicarboxylate ligands and at least one bisphosphonate linking ligand.
 10. The metal organic framework of claim 9, wherein the bisphosphonate linking ligand is a biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligand.
 11. The metal organic framework of claim 10, wherein at least one of the phenyl groups of the biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligand is substituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups.
 12. The metal organic framework of claim 9, wherein the bisphosphonate ligand is a 4,4′-biphenylbisphosphonate linking ligand.
 13. The metal organic framework of claim 9, wherein the metal organic framework comprises at least one tetravalent transition metal.
 14. The metal organic framework of claim 13, wherein the at least one tetravalent transition metal is selected from the group consisting of hafnium, titanium and zirconium. 